“As it happens, Maison Vanderbilt is one of the most generous companies when it comes to charity.” I shuffle my papers to check the numbers. “My records show that last year alone, you contributed over five million dollars to different projects. With a specific focus on youth and education.”

“Yes, exactly. We focus in particular on nurturing the next generation of talent. It’s extremely important to foster tomorrow’s leaders as they represent our future.”

“Public education in our country is mainly funded through taxes—property taxes for the most part, but also state and federal taxes. So what do you think of companies that use tax havens to hide assets and pay fewer taxes than what they really owe?”

“Well, they’re obviously cheating society and robbing communities blind. Everyone has to do their part.”

“Those are sage words, Mrs. Vanderbilt, and it’s interesting hearing them coming from you. What about yourself? Have you ever had any connection to an offshore company?”

“Maison Vanderbilt has many international branches.” Rebecca grimaces. “Some of them are located in countries with taxation incentives. It’s common practice for multinational companies to-to… anyway, I don’t see what the point of this question is… It feels almost as if you were accusing me of something.”

“Are you at all familiar with a company called Heron LLC?”

She pales. “No, why should I?”

“So you’ve never heard the name Heron LLC. It’s a company based in the Cayman Islands, a notorious tax haven.”

“Never,” she says haughtily, moving her chin up. “Can we return to the original scope of this interview? Why are we talking about the Cayman Islands? Unless of course it’s to discuss our newest resort collection.” Rebecca lets out a high-pitched laugh.

“In a moment.” Oh, you’re not wiggling out of this one. “But you see, I find it weird the name Heron LLC is unfamiliar to you. According to a former employee of Maison Vanderbilt, your company used to pay millions in management fees to Heron every year.”

“This is nonsense.” Rebecca searches with her eyes for help, looking very much like a trapped animal. No one comes to her aid.

Luck is on my side as her PA seems to have vanished after she made sure the interview was going smoothly, leaving her boss completely at my mercy.

“Mrs. Vanderbilt, isn’t paying management fees to an offshore company one of the easiest means of tax evasion?”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“Just to be clear, as CEO of Maison Vanderbilt, you’re denying ever committing tax fraud.”

“You’ve no proof of these absurd allegations you’re making.”

“I have the word of a former accountant at your company. Anyway, are you claiming I’ve no proof or that the fact never subsisted?”